Which place is cheaper, Porto or Arusha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Arusha or Porto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Porto can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Arusha or Porto?
Arusha
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.
Porto
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It is also the capital of the Northern Region and a hub for commercial and industrial activity. The city is not as large as you might expect, with a population of only about 300,000 residents, but the metropolitan area has a population of about 2.5 million. This includes nearby cities such as Gaia, Matosinhos, Maia and Gondomar.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal.
-
Arusha Prices
Tanzania PricesPorto Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $189Porto $186
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $189, while the average daily cost in Porto is $186. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Arusha and Porto in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $126Porto $83
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $252Porto $166
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Porto
Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Porto? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Arusha Hotel Prices and Porto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Porto $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $294
- Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $130
- Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport Transfers with Private Day Tours: $60
- Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Private Transfer: $59
- Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
- Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Porto
Also for Porto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from porto airport to Porto city (or return): $116
- Transfer from Porto to the Douro Valley: $294
- Transfer Taxi Service Porto , Gaia , Airport , Train , Bus , Ship: $63
- Transfer Porto to Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport: $21
- Transfer Porto Centro to Airport (OPO): $41
- Transfer Oporto - Aeroport / Up to 4 passengers: $29
- Transfer Airport (OPO) - Porto Centro: $47
- Private transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Oporto: $544
- Private transfer from Oporto to Lisbon or Lisbon to Oporto: $264
- Private transfer between Porto and Lisbon - up to 5 stops: $235
- Private airport transfers from Porto to various cities.: $18
- Private Transfer to Porto from Tarouca: $132
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Porto?
Prices for flights to both Porto and Arusha change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayArusha $40Porto $73
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55
- Homestay + Cooking + Animal Care + Fruit Harvesting + Much More: $197
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Porto
For Porto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class with Porto Wine (Sé do Porto): $41
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class with Porto Wine (Lapa): $41
- Eat Porto Like a Local: The Ultimate Full-Meal Food Tour: $68
- Porto Food Tour Market Tapas and Port Wine Cellar Experience: $70
- Authentic Porto Small Group Food Tour with Local Tastings: $78
- Porto Food Tour: $88
- Shopping, cooking and eating together at my home in Porto: $88
- Craft Beer & Food Tour in Porto by Taste Porto (since 2013): $88
- Small Group Porto Food Tour Traditional Taverns and Local Dishes: $88
- Food Tour: Wine, Beer & Liquor - Porto’s Secret Spots: $94
- Private Porto Market Tour & Authentic Portuguese Cooking Class: $99
- Fado Tour with Guide, Dinner & Live Show in Porto: $100
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $44Porto $29
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day trip to Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee Tour: $127
- 1 day trip Materuni Waterfall, Village & Coffee Walking Tour: $127
- 1-Day Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Tour and Chemka Hot Spring: $100
- 1-Day Trip Tarangire N.P Small group Tour Tanzania sharing Safari: $270
- 8-Hour Lake Chala Guided Tour from Moshi or Arusha: $260
- A Day at Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tour in Mt Kilimanjaro: $160
- Amazing Lake Duluti Day Trip Experience: $70
- Arusha African Shopping Tour: $100
- Arusha Bike Town Tour Experience: $55
- Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
- Arusha City town tour: $101
- Arusha Full Day Tour to Waterfall and Coffee Tour: $140
Tours and Activities in Porto
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Porto.
- 3 Hour Complete Porto City Tour: $233
- 3-Hour Guided Walking Tour of Porto: $33
- 3-Hour Porto Highlights on a Electric Bike Guided Tour: $52
- 3-Hour Porto Jewish Heritage Walking Tour with Local Guide: $35
- 3h30 tour in Porto by Tuk Tuk: $115
- 4 Hour Blissful Wave Experience at Maceda Haven: $82
- 6 Bridges and Ribeira Boat Tour, Shared – Sunset Option: $47
- Adventure Day in the Douro: Stand Up Paddle (SUP) and Reboque Bowl: $127
- Authentic Braga & Guimarães: Small Historical Group Tour: $69
- Aveiro Half Day Private Tour Porto w/ Moliceiro River Cruise: $123
- Aveiro Half-Day Small Group Tour from Porto: $58
- Aveiro Small Group Tour with Typical Boat Ride, offer wine bottle: $112
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Porto $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Porto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Porto:
- 1 Demarcation Museum Tickets and Port Wine Tasting: $5.87
- Poças Guided Visit and Port Wine Tasting with Pastel de Nata: $27
- Poças Guided Visit and Wine Tasting of 3 Port Wines: $27
- Poças Guided Visit and Wine Tasting of 2 DOC Douro & 1 Port Wine: $27
- Premium wine tasting at Quinta das Arcas: $28
- Fado Concert with Port Wine Tasting at Quinta da Boeira: $29
- Cellar Tour, Port Wine Tasting & Fado Show at Fonseca: $29
- Taylor's Port Cellars Visit & Port Wine Tasting: $29
- Classic Wine Tasting with GUIDED TOUR: $30
- Porto Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour with Wine tasting & Night tour: $32
- Authentic Oporto Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $33
- Cálem Cellar Tour, Live Fado Show and Wine Tasting: $33
When comparing the travel costs between Arusha and Porto, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Arusha is in Africa and Porto is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Porto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Porto?
Arusha has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Porto. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Porto, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.